The Albany Heritage Area, encompassing all of downtown Albany, is one of 18 Heritage Areas and Corridors in New York State. The visitor center in Quackenbush Square houses an exhibit about Albany history, information about the capital region and walking tours, and the Henry Hudson Planetarium.

"Founded in 1791, the Albany Institute of History & Art is one of the oldest museums in the United States. It also is the major repository for the region's heritage, with nationally significant collections."

"The Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. was incorporated in 1976 to promote the New York State Capital as a destination for visitors and convention delegates. Today, (they are) known as Discover Albany. Discover Albany is an independent, not-for-profit corporation and serves as Albany County's Official Tourism Promotion Agency (TPA), as well as an administrator of the Capital-Saratoga Region and Hudson River Valley marketing efforts."

Founded in 1924, the Dutch Settlers Society of Albany strives to perpetuate the memory of the individuals who settled in the greater Albany area during the Dutch colonial period of 1624 - 1664. The Society is charged with collecting and preserving information pertaining to the early history of Albany (Fort Orange, later Beverwijck) including genealogical records of the settlers and their descendants.

The NYS Office of General Services offers a number of free guided and self-guided tours in Albany: NYS Capital, 100 Years of Women's Suffrage Tour, State Education Building, NYS Executive Mansion, and Empire State Art Collection.

Built in 1787, Historic Cherry Hill tells a story of America through the lives and experiences of five generations of an Albany, New York, family. House tours, educational programs, Edward Frisbee Center for Collections & Research.

The Pruyn House Complex is the educational, historical, and cultural center for the Town of Colonie. The complex includes the restored original house, gardens, and historical buildings moved to the site.

"Researches and preserves the local and national history of the anti-slavery and underground railroad movements, their international connections, and their legacies to later struggles and engages in public education and dialogue about these movements and their relevance to modern society."

Capital Region History, Heritage and Cultural Links

"The Erie Canalway National Heritage corridor preserves our extraordinary canal heritage, promotes the Corridor as a world-class tourism destination, and fosters vibrant communities connected by more than 500 miles of waterway."

The Greenway is a voluntary collaboration between state, regional, and local municipalities to preserve, enhance, and develop the scenic, natural, historic, cultural, and recreational resources of the Hudson RIver Valley, by thinking regionally and planning locally. The Greenway includes communities both riverside and countryside communities in 14 counties.

Through a partnership with the National Park Service, the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area collaborates with residents, government agencies, non-profit groups and private partners to interpret, preserve and celebrate the nationally-significant cultural and natural resources of the Hudson River Valley. One of forty-nine federally recognized National Heritage Areas throughout the United States.

The Hudson River Valley Ramble is an annual event series that celebrates the history, culture and natural resources of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, as well as the landscape, communities, and trails throughout the region.

New York State History, Heritage and Cultural Links

"The New World Dutch Barn, as it has come to be known, is one of the last physical reminders of the pre-industrial agricultural heritage of eastern New York and New Jersey." Visit the Dutch Barn Preservation website to learn more about efforts to study and preserve New World Dutch barns. Rotterdam Junction, NY.

"The New York History Blog promotes the state’s history community including: new research and publications; newly available collections; public history advocacy and historic preservation efforts; exhibits and events; conferences and grants; and new stories from New York’s past."

Historic Preservation is a function of the NYS Department of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. It includes: the Bureau of Historic Sites, the Historic Preservation Field Services Bureau, the NYS Heritage Area system, and the NYS Heritage Trails.

The NYS Heritage Area system is a state-local partnership established to promote special areas of historic, cultural, and natural significance across New York State. Part of the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.

Organization and Operation Resources for Non-Profits

An organization for New York State's duly appointed municipal historians. Affiliate membership is open for any cultural agency, educational institution, corporation, historical societies, museums, or individual interested in NY State history and the work of the public historians of New York State.

NYS Office of Attorney General's one-stop resource for charitable organizations, fundraisers, grantmakers and members of the public. Contains financial reports of charities active in NY, guidance for those who manage charities and solicit charitable contributions, tips for those considering donating to charity, and links to other resources.

Search for charities registered with the NYS Office of the Attorney General. Some organizations, such as religious organizations, are exempt from registering with the office and may not appear in the Registry. (Part of the NYS Charities Bureau website.)

New York State views cultural agencies, including historical societies, as educational organizations instead of non-profit businesses. There are two different incorporation types within the NYS Education Department; charter and certificate of incorporation. Charters are only granted to museums and historical societies with collections, while certificate of incorporation are granted to cultural agencies that do not own collections.

New York's State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) helps communities identify, evaluate, preserve, and revitalize their historic, archeological, and cultural resources. The SHPO works with governments, the public, and educational and not-for-profit organizations to raise historic preservation awareness, to instill in New Yorkers a sense of pride in the state's unique history and to encourage heritage tourism and community revitalization. Part of the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.

Celebrated each November. Historical societies and sites are encouraged to present events, tours, lectures, discussions, publications, and exhibitions that highlight the importance of NYS history and the role we (and the public) play in preserving it.

Use this link to submit your organization's event. Path Through History Weekends "are a showcase of New York State's rich and fascinating history and will feature hundreds of events happening at historic and cultural destinations throughout the state."